Bumper Jack orientation (bolts)

RedBarchetta · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 12:58 PM

I'm a stickler for details...It's my nature.

I'd like to know what was correct on most of the original Cobras (emphasizing the word most because teams back in the day did different things with these cars)? What I mean by "correct" is not whether they were mounted forward (out) or backward (inward), but more so the orientation of the bolts.

SPF and others have the bolts on the inside of the flange, so they are NOT exposed when viewed from the side. I have seen ERAs and some CSX cars with these bolts on the outside of the flange, thus they are exposed when viewed from the side.

Below is my SPF for example purposes. I can also see where this slight orientation can have an ever-so-slight change to the overall look. Again, a really minor detail for most but I'm just curious and want the real answer.

I did a search under bumper jacks and that didn't turn up much (to my surprise...thought I had read this here at one time or another).

Thanks,

-Dean

computerworks · #2 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 01:27 PM

Simple answer, Dean.

A correct orientation = nuts, outward

Got the Bug · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 01:33 PM

Hey Dean,

Not sure if you saw this thread. Did you get your engine all buttoned back up with the new oil pan?

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthre...ighlight=jacks

RedBarchetta · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 02:36 PM

Thanks, Doug. That link really settles the debate...it's up to the user.

I got the pan back from the powder coater on Monday and just haven't had the time to get it back on. Should have a moment to get to it this weekend. It looks great and the battle scars (welds) on the bottom add some character. Thanks for asking.

-Dean

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

SPF and others have the bolts on the inside of the flange, so they are NOT exposed when viewed from the side. I have seen ERAs and some CSX cars with these bolts on the outside of the flange, thus they are exposed when viewed from the side.

Generally speaking, if you have ERA and CSX cars doing it one way, and SPF and others doing it the opposite way, I'll put my money on ERA and CSX every time.

Ronbo · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:02 PM

On the 427 cars the rods are staggered in the front, so the jacks can only go on one way.

The 289 cars have the rods straight (vertically) so they can be flipped either way.

Of course you may decide, like me, that you've scraped skin off your leg for the last time and are replacing them with overiders.

(it was either that or tying pillows on the darn things)

I haven't had the pleasure of laying my forehead open on one yet like some folks.

RedBarchetta · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronbo

I haven't had the pleasure of laying my forehead open on one yet like some folks.

Urghhh, that would include me. Four stitches directly in the eye brow.

Went well with the blood red paint finish, too.

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Urghhh, that would include me. Four stitches directly in the eye brow.

Went well with the blood red paint finish, too.

Think nothing of it -- real men have scars.

2Torqued · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 04:38 PM

Chicks dig scars

Ronbo · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 05:00 PM

Nah, they dig how you got them...

The one I have from moving the fridge I tell them I got in a bar fight, the one from the circular saw was from a fight with six cops, so on and so on.

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 05:03 PM

And those tell-tale burns on the inside left ankle are the result of a napalm fight.

rokndad · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 10:03 PM

Dean,

You need to "Rock out with your Nuts Out"!! Or something like that.

Actually it's Bolt Heads Out. Whichever way you want.

thudmaster · #13 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 10:13 PM

Right out of Ron's Gallery.......

Thank you Compurworks..........

SLHetal · #14 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 03:10 AM

I'd say mounting the jack pads with bolts visible from the side is your choice, however there is a very interesting picture on page 19 of The Shelby American number 35 (1981) taken by the author of the article in 1966 while on tour of the Shelby facility. The picture is of the driver's side profile of a 427 Comp car or S/C still in the raw without paint or side pipes yet, still sitting on slave wheels. Also the very front of another Cobra in similar condition is in part of the picture just behind the subject car. Both cars have their jack pads mounted and it clearly shows the front ones are mounted with the bolts visible from the side and the rear are the opposite. I wasn't there so I'm not sure who mounted what and how, but there is at least one example captured in that fashion in 1966. This same picture may answer a few other questions for originality buffs.
Sam

tboneheller · #15 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thudmaster

Right out of Ron's Gallery.......

Thank you Compurworks..........

I installed mine this way after seeing this picture 12 years ago.

RedBarchetta · #16 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokndad

Dean,

You need to "Rock out with your Nuts Out"!! Or something like that.

I think I might monkey around with this (after I get my pan back on). Thanks for the inputs, guys. One of the great Shelby mystiques (or is that mistakes?).

computerworks · #17 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

One of the great Shelby mystiques L:

...no "mystique", really. We know how they were assembled by AC from early pics; we know how they were delivered from early SAI pics.

...they only came on 30 cars total... and we know that damn near every one of them were taken apart and the cars were painted and put back any which way...and pretty much no one used them as jack plates on the 427.